Andy: I liked your story about singing this song and inviting audience participation. I'd like to hear that.

Your correction "The preacher lights the coals" makes sense. Just to make sure, I listened to a couple of recordings on YouTube. The lead singer (John Phillips?) does garble that line a bit, so I'm not surprised a lot of people got it wrong, but the response is clearer. In short, I think you're right—except I'm not sure whether it's "coal" or "coals".

I searched with Google, too, and I see a lot of people have had trouble with that line. Besides "the preacher likes the cold" I also found "the preacher likes it cold," "the preacher loves the cold," "the preacher is like a god," and "the preacher locked the door"!

Here's another correction: It's "I've been for a walk", not "I went for a walk."

The above transcription is wrong on several details, such as when the responses are sung. I suspect it was transcribed from a different recording than the one that was a hit for the Mamas & Papas. I think you can trust the following version, which I diligently compared to the recording:


CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
John Phillips, Michelle Phillips

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day.

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know, the preacher lights the coals (preacher lights the coals)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day.

[Instrumental break with flute]

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)
California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day.